Bezzecchi eyes further step on Sunday as Savadori flies with new parts

Factory Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi could receive a boost for Sunday’s MotoGP Dutch Grand Prix after the team’s development rider Lorenzo Savadori successfully tested new parts on Saturday.

Bezzecchi, who won the British Grand Prix last month, could thus build on a positive Saturday on which he qualified fifth and finished third.

Savadori, usually found in the lowest reaches of the grid, had an unusually good day, qualifying a season-best 15th. Savadori finished the sprint in 16th but was subsequently issued with an eight-second tyre pressure penalty, dropping him to 17th. 

He revealed afterwards that his performance was linked to parts that had arrived fresh from the Noale factory. 

“Some new parts arrived from Noale, and they worked really well immediately,” reported the Italian. 

“We put them on track for the first time today and we were able to do a good qualifying – and also a good sprint race. The rhythm was good.

“I think something I tried today we can put on Marco’s bike tomorrow. I spoke with Aprilia and said it’s ready for Marco [to use].

“I think tomorrow maybe Marco can be faster.”

Bezzecchi’s grid position was his best of the season so far, and the podium his best 2025 result in a sprint. For most of this season he has struggled to find form early on a weekend, which has compromised his starting positions. It’s a point he emphasised after the sprint.

“We are still missing something, but today I made a bigger step compared to Friday and Saturday of the [most recent] weekends,” he said. “So yeah, I’m very happy, the team worked well.”

Bezzecchi reached his podium spot by first passing factory Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia and then the struggling polesitter Fabio Quartararo.

The sprint podium comes on the same day that Bezzecchi’s injured team-mate Jorge Martin reaffirmed – via his manager – his right to seek alternative employment in 2026.

The difference of opinion between Aprilia and Martin on that matter shows no signs of any resolution.